Letters to the Editor - Feb. 19, 2010

Open letter to Selectmen: oppose Cos Cob tower

Dear Selectmen of the Town of Greenwich,

As a resident of Cos Cob, husband to a pregnant wife and father of three young children, I believe that T-Mobile's desire to locate a cell tower at the 205 Bible St., owned by Cos Cob Archers, will create serious health risks to the residents of my neighborhood.

We residents of Cos Cob are fearful of the radio frequency waves that will emit from T-Mobile's tower.

Moreover, this location would be approximately one half mile from the North Mianus School, The Town of Greenwich's Preschool Program at the Cos Cob Community Center (and about a mile from three more: The Cos Cob Elementary School, The Stanwich School, and The Greenwich Preschool), well within the range of harm from radio frequency waves.

Radio frequency waves are likely to cause learning disabilities, birth defects, cancer, brain tumors, Alzheimers, depression, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and other illnesses.

Children, pregnant mothers and the elderly are most susceptible to these damaging effects.

Please oppose and hinder to the best capabilities of your offices any attempt to build any tower at this address.

I would furthermore suggest that the Selectmen impose a moratorium on cellular tower construction in Greenwich until the health risks are fully mitigated.

The Jervis Family

Cos Cob

Island Beach caretaker's firing is disturbing

To the editor:

In regard to the firing of Lenny Nielson as caretaker at Island Beach, I see a disturbing similarity in the motives of his supervisors and those of then outgoing First Selectmen Jim Lash when he changed beach acess policy.

Both were done with total disregard for town residents and beachgoers, and serve only the petty interests of those in the position of making such decisions.

Such motivations never serve the best interests of our residents.

Island Beach was well served with Mr. Nielson as caretaker. who was as meticulous as he was dedicated in his position as caretaker at Island Beach.

Those who frequent the island have publicly indicated this. However, in defending their orchestrated "witch hunt," Mr. Sicliano and Mr. Whitcomb cite anonymous complaints from alleged residents about Mr. Nielson.

I find it refreshingly candid that Mr. Nielson, rather than choose to play the game of hiding behind his union, and go through the motions of a 30-day rehab to remain on the town's payroll, that he admits that he in his words,"likes to have a few pops."

No one, not even his vindictive supervisors could argue that Mr. Nielson did an exemplary job, and his alchohol consumption had no effect on his fulfilling his duties.

The bottom line here is that our residents once again will be penalized by those in charge, who by the way have a less than exemplary record when it comes to acting in a manner as to not embarass the town.

I can cite the shwastika incident of Mr. Whitcomb as a starter.

Rick Novakowski

Cos Cob

Residents' efforts to help Haitians inspirational

To the editor,

I just wanted to express how extraordinarily proud I am to be a member of this community. This past Saturday, a labor of love was created as several people worked together toward a common goal...a higher purpose...to help the people of Haiti.

As a very active realtor, I am honored to be involved with many charity events and fund raisers.

But Saturday night was truly special. Band Together, (founded by Jerry Vigorito & Robert Fried), State Representative Tony Hwang, and the Fairfield Theatre Company (Miles Marek), joined forces to create a truly magical evening... A Concert for Haiti. The strength, the love, the power, the hope, the compassion, the magic...not only on the stage but throughout the theatre...was life changing.

I was deeply moved by the generosity and kindness offered by so many. Tears rolled down the cheeks of listeners as four students from Central High School stood on stage to honor loved ones lost in Haiti.

The music was remarkable, the voices were awe inspiring, the people, beyond beautiful. Thank you Jerry, Rob, Tony, Miles, all the amazingly talented artists, the Red Cross and all the people who came in support of such a humbling cause.

There is renewed hope in Fairfield because of your efforts and I feel blessed to have witnessed such a significant event.

Julie Vanderblue

Greenwich

Thank you, Armstrong Court supporters

Dear Armstrong Court Garden supporters,

On behalf of the Armstrong Court Organizing Team and Resident Gardeners, I would like to thank the countless volunteers, supporters and contributors who all came together to revive the beautiful, huge community garden at Armstrong Court in 2009.

It was an awesome task to undertake this kind of project and we could not have accomplished as much as we did in our first year, without the absolute goodness, back-breaking hard work, commitment and determination of all of those who participated.

We were very proud to receive the Greenwich Time Community Partnership Award at the Greenwich Green & Clean Annual Beautification Awards celebration at the Byram Shubert Library a few weeks ago. We share this award with all of you who so kindly helped us make this a garden worth recognizing!

2010 marks our second year and we have many exciting plans for the garden.

We invite everyone to please join us in our continuing efforts to make the Armstrong Court Garden a place where residents can grow their own fresh food and flowers, where neighbor can meet neighbor, and families can enjoy working together - all this, in their own wonderful garden.

The organizing team is already in full swing planning for 2010, but we could use more help, particularly in the areas of public relations, fundraising and in applying for grants.

We are very happy to have McArdles Nursery lending us so much support this year in planning and teaching at the garden. Greenwich Whole Foods Market will be, among other things, catering our first Resident Gardeners Event, our "Love Your Garden Party" on February 13, 2010.

If anyone would like more information on Our To-Do List or our Wish List for 2010, please feel free to contact me at any time.

If you would prefer not to receive occasional Garden Updates or emails regarding the Armstrong Court Community Garden, please email me and I will remove you from our email list.

Patty Sechi

Organizing Team Leader

Armstrong Court Community Organic Garden

Praise for Himes' call to lift Gaza Strip blockade

To the editor:

I applaud Jim Himes for courageously joining 53 other House of Representatives Democrats in sending a letter to President Barack Obama calling on Israel and Egypt to lift their blockade of the Gaza Strip.

A policy of blockade amounts to collective punishment of the entire population of Gaza, including its hundreds of thousands of children.

The blockade of Gaza has gone on for nearly four years, and has grossly undermined efforts to restore the vital water and sanitation infrastructure that were obliterated during Israel's three-week assault on the territory a year ago.

An estimated 80 percent of Gazans are dependent upon food aid to survive and the skyrocketing unemployment and humanitarian crisis has left Gaza's imprisoned people with no hope for a better future.

As Himes notes, desperation breeds extremism and the situation in Gaza is very desperate right now. Our greatest hope for securing the peace is by demonstrating compassion for all.

Shiva Sarram

Greenwich